Last week’s off-year elections were fast, loud, and clear. Races were called early because the margins were that big. Democrats swept 13 of 13 statewide contests on the ballot, including Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, with double-digit wins in most of those races- thanks Taniel and Bolts for posting all the good info on Bluesky.
If you’ve felt pummeled since 2024, this was a night where many of us finally exhaled.
Two big numbers worth sitting with:
* New Jersey: Nearly 3.6 million people voted—higher turnout than any non-presidential race in the state this century.
* Virginia: More than 3.3 million Virginians cast ballots—the highest non-presidential turnout in the Commonwealth’s history.
This wasn’t a sleepy off-year bump. This was voters—across factions—showing up (data geeks can check out the CNN Exit Polls for all the details)
So…was this a “Blue Wave”?
Short answer: yes, but let’s be precise about what kind of wave.
What we saw:
* Voters choosing competent, grounded candidates who talked about:
* Affordability
* Cost of living
* Social safety nets
* Protecting basic rights
* Less oxygen for performative culture-war nonsense.
* Local electorates picking the right fit for their communities:
* A democratic socialist in New York City.
* Center-left governors in Virginia and New Jersey.
That mix matters. It’s a reminder that there is no one “correct” flavor of candidate—as long as they’re serious about making life more livable for real people.
What this doesn’t mean (sorry, pundits)
We’re all tempted to fling arrows from “Off-Year 2025” straight into “Midterms 2026” and call it data.
Careful.
Off-year electorates tend to be:
* More engaged
* More attentive
* Less easily manipulated by vibes and headlines
That said, the size of these margins and the turnout levels suggest something real:People are paying attention. People are tired of chaos. People are not buying what Trumpism is selling when Trump isn’t literally on their ballot—and his “I wasn’t on it, that’s why we lost” spin is…not reassuring for Republicans who’d like to govern.
If GOP candidates can’t rely on Trump as turnout jet fuel and his endorsements keep underperforming, they either:
* Double down on the cult.
* Or start re-orienting around actually serving their constituents.
We’re rooting—not for one-party rule—but for two functional parties again. Opposition is healthy. Nihilism is not.
The template that’s emerging
Across races, one throughline stood out:
* Talk about cost of living like it’s real (because it is).
* Protect social safety nets without shaming people who need help.
* Refuse to let every conversation be hijacked by culture-war bait.
* Center human dignity—including trans people, immigrants, Jews, Muslims, families on SNAP—without letting bad-faith actors dictate the script.
Candidates who did this well won big in very different places. That’s not magic; that’s messaging plus values plus organizing.
Okay, so what do we do with this energy?
Victories are not a permission slip to coast. They’re proof that work works.
This week’s actions:
* Feed people.The shutdown is over (though it wasn’t when we recorded this episode). Nevertheless, SNAP benefits and shutdown fallout may still be a factor in too many households. If you can, donate to:
* Your local food bank or pantry
* Mutual aid groups in your area
* Stand between vulnerable neighbors and harm.If it resonates and is safe for you:
* Connect with local groups doing accompaniment or patrols where day laborers and immigrants gather.
* Learn how they vet volunteers and keep everyone safe.
* Write where it counts.
* Postcards to Voters and similar groups already have live campaigns for upcoming specials (including congressional). Jump in for a handful of cards!
* Stay in your reps’ inboxes.
* Call or email your senators and House member and tell them:
* You noticed.
* You expect them to protect democracy, voting rights, and safety nets.
* Email us at hello@acouplethinks.com or complete our survey at survey.acouplethinks.com
Joyful Moments (because we refuse to live in despair)
We close the episode, as always, with joy on purpose:
* That election night rush when the calls came in early.
* Connecting with folks through a book club or through activism!
* Anticipation of gathering with online friends in real life, even with storm clouds and airport chaos in the mix.
This is the balance we’re trying to model: eyes open, shoulders squared, hearts soft. Wins don’t erase the work ahead, but they absolutely count as fuel.
If you haven’t listened yet, this Substack goes with this week’s episode of A Couple Thinks—our post-election debrief (in briefs?). Pop in your earbuds, then tell us what you’re seeing where you live and how you’re choosing to stay engaged without burning out.
